Compostela labor leader gets threats

DAVAO CITY – A militant labor leader in Compostela Valley fears for his life, claiming to have received death threats as he demanded benefits for the workers of a banana plantation in Compostela town.

Joel Cuyos, union president of the Fresh Bananas Agricultural Co., a subsidiary of the Sumitomo Fruits Corp.-AJMR, said a fellow militant labor leader has warned him that hired goons have allegedly been employed to go after him.

Cuyo’s group is affiliated with the Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa San Jose-National Federation of Labor Unions- Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Cuyo was the president of the federation when their labor union staged a strike last year, resulting in the illegal termination of some workers.

However, the agricultural company was forced to give the workers back their jobs last February. However, certain employment terms are still under negotiation.   – Edith Regalado